Mine could start chain reaction
Marc Gaudreau
Comox Valley Echo
Friday, February 19, 2010
Sometimes it feels as if we are moving backwards. For some of us, the latest burning issue in the Comox Valley is the possible commencement of a coal mine in the Fanny Bay area. Not only do these issues separate communities, but locally, both sides of the issue stand to lose more than they can gain.
For the average islander the biggest, and likely the only positive aspect of such an undertaking is about job creation.
With a struggling economy and such huge job loss experienced on Vancouver Island over the years, this method is at the top of the list for selling anything these days. I encourage all of us to think clearly about this issue.
Are we really willing to give up the magnificent beauty and healthy environment of the Comox Valley for the sake of a few jobs (of which most won't be locals), and those jobs being of relative short duration? I encourage everyone to take the time to get informed on the health implications of living in the vicinity of a coal mine, our children are the most vulnerable.
Our region has embarked on promoting agriculture and tourism. Does this align with mining?
My focus with this letter is entirely the negative consequences of the mine. The list of risks is exceptionally long. The biggest concerns are: contamination of our underground water sources, contamination of the pristine ocean waters containing aquaculture, acid mine drainage, air quality due to coal dust, sulphur gas, methane gas all within the Comox Valley in general. Of course there is another concern which I won't even talk about here except to mention that the coal would be transported to Asia for usage (and of course we all know by now that we are at the turning point of fossil fuel usage, that the time has come for serious expenditures towards alternate means of energy - and yes - they do exist).
When I do the positive comparative to the negative risks associated with such an endeavor it becomes not even a question of which side to support. It is my hope that we people of Vancouver Island begin to understand that being led down the garden path by the promise of jobs is how big business operates. Not to say they all operate as such, but, realize this is about someone making huge amounts of money (not us I might add), without serious concern for those living in the community.
And in this circumstance that community becomes the whole of Vancouver Island. Right now it is only one coal mine in Fanny Bay, but the rights to all the minerals underfoot are bought and sold randomly, this particular company own rights to 75,000 acres of coal and mineral rights just on Vancouver Island.
The possibility of more mining activity right in each of our backyards is likely. It is easy to think that this mine is not of concern as it isn't in your immediate vicinity, but I urge caution, the next mine could by right next door.
Therefore it is important for all Islanders to think seriously about the implications of our political powers granting permission to such a venture. Once precedent is set there will be no turning back.
Permission granted to the Raven Coal Project could start a chain of events that we (the general public) will have no say in.
Our leaders state we here in British Columbia are working towards being a leader in climate protection. Is this how we start? By starting to mine our planet's worst fossil fuel pollutant?
Our errors regarding the environment have not yet ceased, hopefully soon. We have an opportunity here to change the course of history. Now is our time to have our voices heard.
Marc Gaudreau
Fanny Bay